The Mentor (Family Support) Order

The Mentor (Family Support) Order.

 

The Mentor Order under the Children Act, 2001 makes provision for a Mentor Order to be implemented by the Probation Service. A mentor order involves the Court assigning a mentor to a child to help, advise and support the child and the child’s family. (Section 131(1)).


The legislation underlines key elements relevant to the order i.e
♦ The child and the child’s parents or guardian consent to the order and agree to co-operate with its terms.
♦ The child shall continue to reside at their normal residence.
♦ The order would not exceed two years duration.
♦ A mentor must be available.
♦ The child would be under the supervision of a Probation Officer who would also support the mentor in their role with the child and family.
♦ The order may specify other conditions necessary.

Provision is made under the Act to have the mentor order revoked or withdrawn on application to the Court. This could occur in a situation whereby a mentor order is no longer in the best interest of the child, parental/child consent is withdrawn or the mentor applies to Court to have the order revoked.

 

 

A mentor has come to mean a loyal, wise and trusted teacher and friend (Dondero 1997)

 

Mentoring can be ‘naturally occurring’ arising from the existing relationships in a young person’s life. Sadly, not all children or young people are fortunate in this regard. In addition to Probation supervision, the complementary role of an assigned mentor and the quality of that relationship, supports, guides and bring benefits from outside the family unit, to young people who are particularly at risk of offending behaviour. The mentoring relationship helps combat the risk of further offending and offers positive alternatives to young people.

A “Mentee” under the Children Act 2001 is a child or young person aged between 12 to 18 years who has come before the Court. Mentees are be under the supervision of a Probation Officer.  Young people are referred to Le Chéile through the Young People's Probation, and engage in the project on a voluntary basis.